First Amendment

Foia Reforms Get A Thumbs Up

January 8, 2008

Maybe it's not a front-burner issue like immigration or health care reform, but improvements to the Freedom of Information Act are consequential, nonetheless.

The changes signed into law recently by President Bush include a new, independent ombudsman to handle citizen disputes and create ways for people to better track their requests. FOIA is an important tool that allows the public and the press to keep better watch on government, and the reforms will further support open government efforts.

American democracy depends on the citizenry's ability to understand its government's actions. In a complex world, including constant advancement in communications technology, it's important that tools like FOIA are updated and improved.

What's more, many other countries look to the United States as a role model. So efforts here to further advance the public's right to know have positive impacts in other nations.